With the fall slowly giving way to winter, most of us have packed away our warm-weather wardrobes and switched our beauty routine to accommodate our skin’s needs during the colder months. While some winter beauty rituals come as no surprise — hello, moisturizer! — there’s one necessity that often gets overlooked: Sunscreen.

Our friends at Fitness Magazine had this to say on the matter in their recent article, “Sun-Proof your Skin this Winter”:

Sunscreen is a must, even in winter. Burning UVB rays are less of an issue this time of year than UVAs, the aging kind that also cause skin cancer, says Heidi Waldorf, MD, director of laser and cosmetic dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. That means you can get by with a lower daily SPF level — a 15 rather than a 30 — as long as the formula properly shields against UVA radiation. “Check ingredients lists for avobenzone, mexoryl, titanium dioxide, or zinc,” Dr. Waldorf says. But if you enjoy winter sports, stick with SPF 30. “Snow reflects 40 percent of the sun’s rays onto your skin, and altitude magnifies this effect,” she says.

As always, be sure to make an appointment with your skincare expert at Montage Salon & Spa if you have questions about your skin care, are interested in improving the look of your skin, or would like to add professional products to your daily routine!